Here's the highlights from Saturday's wild 7-5 win for the Vees over the Express Saturday night.
Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
GRIZZLIES @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS
Here's the highlight's from Victoria's 5-2 win over the Express Friday night.
Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.
Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.
WILD AFFAIR VS. VEES SATURDAY NIGHT
If you knew the final score of the Express vs. Vees game on Saturday night would be a 7-5 final raise your hand... That's what I thought, none of you.
Penticton did come away with the win, but the Express forced the Vees to dig deep in the third period just to pick up the two points.
The Express came out physical in the first period and Coquitlam brought their skatings legs knowing that the Vees would challenge the Express to skate with them.
Joey Laleggia for the Vees and Jason Grecica for the Express traded goals just under 2 minutes apart early in the first period.
Then the Express got into penalty trouble being called for back to back infractions giving the Vees nearly 4 consecutive minutes of powerplay time, to the Express' credit they killed off the powerplays. But Penticton used the powerplays to give them a jolt of momentum and started to carry the play.
Joey Benik gave the Vees the lead late in the first when he brought the puck into the Express zone with speed and wired a quick wrist shot post and in low stick side on Khaleed Devji.
The Vees took their 2-1 lead to the room and outshot the Express 17-5.
Both teams settled into a tighter and more evenly played game when the second period got underway. Logan Johnston opened up a 2 goal Vee lead scoring at 7:36.
Coquitlam didn't get rattled and Jason Grecica forced a turnover behind the Vee net and set up Mike Krgovich and scored on a backhand at 14:20.
Penticton however quickly restored their two goal lead when Tampa Bay draft pick Brendan O'Donnel set up Montreal Canadiens draft pick Mark MacMillan who was all alone in front of Devji.
Trailing by two goals entering the third period to the Penticton Vees a comeback seemed fairly unlikely for the Express.
Coquitlam was given a chance to cut the lead down to one early in the third period when Kyle Beaulieu was called for tripping. That gave the anemic Express powerplay a chance to make it a game again. In the last few games the Express let opportunities like this slip through their fingers.
This time their fortunes would be different.
Cole Gelley started a beautiful passing play by whipping it to Krgovich who snapped across to Destry Straight who buried it past Joel Rumpel to pull the Express back within one with plenty of time left on the clock.
Less than a minute later captain Garrick Perry showed the heart and determination he brings to the rink every night by taking a Steve Axford pass and powered his way hard to the net and scored on Rumpel to pull the Express even.
Two goals in 41 seconds for the Express meant the end of the night for Joel Rumpel who was pulled in favour of Billy Faust.
Midway through the third Brad Reid clutched up to give the Express the lead for the first time when his wrist shot from inside the blueline handcuffed Faust.
3 goals in 8:12 turned the game 180 degrees in the Express favour. But it was still far from over from the Vees point of view.
A powerplay goal by Brendan O'Donnel just over 2 minutes later pulled Penticton even as this sea saw third period continued. Then just 2:03 later one of Jon Calvano's former players with the Vancouver Northwest Giants re-stored the Vees lead when Steven Iacobellis tipped a Troy Stetcher point shot past Devji to give the Vees the lead again.
Coquitlam thought they were going to get a great opportunity to pull even in the final minute when Riley Mcintosh was hauled down in his own zone and the Express looked to be getting a powerplay. But as the Express brought the puck up ice referee Adam Griffiths somehow found a holding penalty on Garrick Perry and the teams remained at even strength.
Tough pill to swallow for the Express in their come back bid. Then Joey Holka iced the game for the Vees with an empty net goal.
This loss isn't easy to take from an Express point of view. But they can take out of it how hard they played with one the of top teams in the BCHL. This weekend the Express may have posted two of their best performances in consecutive games in recent weeks. They may have wound up on the losing end both times. But if what we saw this weekend was a sign of things to come, it should only be a matter of time before the Express get back into the win column.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
WHO'S YOUR PICK?
The midway mark of the season comes up on Wednesday night in Surrey. So I would like to take the opportunity to get your opinion who would be your mid-season award winners for the Express.
On the right side of the screen there's some of the awards the Express hand out at the end of the season. Take some time and go through each poll and cast your vote.
Friday, November 26, 2010
OPPORTUNITIES LOST VS. GRIZZLIES
It was a case of one team taking advantage of their opportunities and the other not as the Grizzlies knocked off the Express 5-2 Friday night.
The Express had a chance to bury Victoria in the first period. The Express came out skating, hitting and the result of their hard work helped draw 4 first period powerplays. That included a 5 on 3 for 44 seconds and the Express couldn't score on any of them.
Then in the final minute Victoria got one powerplay and scored on it with 3 seconds left in the period when Sean Robertson tipped a shot in front of Luke Hernandez to give Victoria the lead after 20 minutes despite being outshot 10-5.
Coquitlam didn't allow the late first period goal to Robertson deflate them to start the second as the Express continued to press.
The Express took the lead on goals by Destry Straight on the power play and Brad Reid at even strength before the period was 5 minutes old. The goals for Reid and Straight were just their second goals in their last 15 games.
Cole Gorchynski was the difference preventing from the Express extending their lead. His strong play was keeping Victoria in the game.
Victoria tied the game when Kyle Aschim's point shot got past Steve Axford's block attempt and Luke Hernandez at 12:29.
Then Victoria got another late powerplay goal as Joel Lowry picked out the puck in a scramble and put it over Hernandez to give Victoria another lead heading to the room.
In the third the Grizzlies iced the game on goals by Madison Dias and Pierce Eviston.
Special teams played a vital role in the outcome as the Express power play continued it's struggles going 1 for 7. The Grizzlies were efficient on their few powerplay opportunities scoring twice on their three chances.
The Express powerplay which was once the bread and butter of the Express attack has gone stale.
It's now just 2 for 30 in the last 5 games and 7 for 70 in the last 15.
The Express do still hold the 7th and final playoff spot by the smallest of margins maintaining a 1 point lead on Cowichan Valley after they lost 1-0 to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
STRAIGHT JOINS LIST OF COMMITTED
It has been a pretty good day for Destry Straight, he has committed to Boston College and was named to play in the CJHL Top Prospects Game.
Straight is the 3rd player Express player to get a NCAA commitment this season. This news comes on the heels of Brad Reid committing to Rochester Institute of Technology. Captain Garrick Perry committed to the University of Alaska Fairbanks earlier this season.
No word yet on when Destry will begin his college career.
Former Express Brock Bradford is a B.U. Grad winning a NCAA Championship in 2008.
STRAIGHT & DEACON TO PLAY IN PROSPECTS SERIES
Express forwards Destry Straight and Mitchell Deacon were among 8 BCHL players selected to play for Team West in the 2 game total goal top prospects series in Dauphin Manitoba.
Earlier this season Straight was listed as an "A" prospect to watch and Deacon was listed as a "C" prospect by NHL Central scouting in advance of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Straight is tied with Powell River's Cohen Adair for the BCHL rookie scoring lead with 28 points.
Deacon's size and grit have scouts keeping an eye on him. He has 5 goals in 19 games this season.
Kyle Turris was the last Express player to play in the top prospects game back in 2007.
The prospects game features the top 40 NHL draft eligible propects in Canadian Junior A Hockey December 7th & 8th.
The other BCHL players selected to play are Trail's Sam Mellor, Joey Baker, and Eric Walker, Vernon's Aaron Hadley, Victoria's Madison Dias, and Westside's Michael King.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
REID TO R.I.T
20 year old Express forward Brad Reid has committed to the Rochester Institute of Technology for the 2011-12 season.
Reid is in his second season with the Express after coming over from the Penticton Vees prior to the 09-10 season. Last year he scored a team leading 55 points and scored 27 goals. Numbers that earned him the Express MVP honours.
This season the Delta native has 11 goals and 27 points in 27 games.
The Express now have 2 players committed to scholarships for next season. Captain Garrick Perry committed to the University of Alaska Fairbanks earlier this season.
Congratulations Brad.
On a side note, it is interesting to see who Reid will be teammates with next season. Powell River's Matt Garbowsky and Daniel Schuler, Surrey's Brad McGowan who is 2nd in BCHL scoring, and Langley's Brandon Thompson. They will join former BCHLers Adam Hartley (Express & Eagles), Scott Knowles (Eagles) Eliot Raibl (Bulldogs, Millionaires, Eagles) and Josh Watson (Kings).
Sunday, November 21, 2010
KINGS @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS
Here's the highlights of Powell River's 4-1 win over the Express Saturday night.
Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.
Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.
KINGS WIN SPECIAL TEAMS BATTLE VS. THE EXPRESS
The two participants in the last two BCHL finals came into Coquitlam and came away with wins.
Saturday the BCHL leading Powell River Kings won the special teams battle in a 4-1 win over the Express.
The Kings scored a shorthanded goal by Matt Garbowsky while killing off all 9 Express powerplays. The goal came as a result of Riley Mcintosh pinching at the blueline and Chad Niddery poked it past him setting up a 2 on 1 and Niddery put a perfect pass on the tape of Garbowsky who buried it.
Mike Krogovich was credited with the Express' only goal of the night 35 seconds into the second period when Massimo Lamacchia chopped the puck in front of the net and it bounced off Krgovich and in for Krgovich's 3rd Express goal.
Minutes later with the Kings on the powerplay, Powell River won an offensive zone faceoff and Craig Dalrymple's point shot got past a screened Luke Hernandez to re-store the King lead.
Powell River the BCHL's best defensive team limited the Express chances throughout the course of the game.
In the opening minute of the third period Dalrymple added his second of the night in similar fashion as the Kings won an offensive zone faceoff and Dalrymple fired a screened point shot that got past Luke Hernandez.
If you're sensing a trend here, you are right on a couple of fronts. Powell River has scored 5 goals on Luke Hernandez in the 2 games between the two clubs this season. 4 of them have come in similar fashion as the Kings would just work the puck to the point, set up a screen and get the shot through to the back of the net.
Faceoffs were also a problem for the Express this weekend. Vernon dominated the faoeoff circle especially in the Express end of the rink. Coquitlam's faceoff problems didn't hurt them much Friday. But Powell River had similar success in the faceoff circle and scored a pair of goals as a direct result of winning a faceoff in the Express end.
Carter Shinkaruk iced the game with an empty net goal with just over a minute remaining.
The game had a chance to go in a different direction if the Express could convert on their powerplays that included 3 in the third period. The Express finished 0 for 9 on the powerplay and was 0 for 13 in a pair of home games this weekend.
Coquitlam lost all 3 games on their schedule this week and were outshot 144-65 in those 3 outings.
As a result of the struggles, the Express now sit just one point up on Cowichan Valley for the 7th and final playoff spot in the Coastal Conference.
The Express will play host to Penticton and Victoria next weekend.
Saturday the BCHL leading Powell River Kings won the special teams battle in a 4-1 win over the Express.
The Kings scored a shorthanded goal by Matt Garbowsky while killing off all 9 Express powerplays. The goal came as a result of Riley Mcintosh pinching at the blueline and Chad Niddery poked it past him setting up a 2 on 1 and Niddery put a perfect pass on the tape of Garbowsky who buried it.
Mike Krogovich was credited with the Express' only goal of the night 35 seconds into the second period when Massimo Lamacchia chopped the puck in front of the net and it bounced off Krgovich and in for Krgovich's 3rd Express goal.
Minutes later with the Kings on the powerplay, Powell River won an offensive zone faceoff and Craig Dalrymple's point shot got past a screened Luke Hernandez to re-store the King lead.
Powell River the BCHL's best defensive team limited the Express chances throughout the course of the game.
In the opening minute of the third period Dalrymple added his second of the night in similar fashion as the Kings won an offensive zone faceoff and Dalrymple fired a screened point shot that got past Luke Hernandez.
If you're sensing a trend here, you are right on a couple of fronts. Powell River has scored 5 goals on Luke Hernandez in the 2 games between the two clubs this season. 4 of them have come in similar fashion as the Kings would just work the puck to the point, set up a screen and get the shot through to the back of the net.
Faceoffs were also a problem for the Express this weekend. Vernon dominated the faoeoff circle especially in the Express end of the rink. Coquitlam's faceoff problems didn't hurt them much Friday. But Powell River had similar success in the faceoff circle and scored a pair of goals as a direct result of winning a faceoff in the Express end.
Carter Shinkaruk iced the game with an empty net goal with just over a minute remaining.
The game had a chance to go in a different direction if the Express could convert on their powerplays that included 3 in the third period. The Express finished 0 for 9 on the powerplay and was 0 for 13 in a pair of home games this weekend.
Coquitlam lost all 3 games on their schedule this week and were outshot 144-65 in those 3 outings.
As a result of the struggles, the Express now sit just one point up on Cowichan Valley for the 7th and final playoff spot in the Coastal Conference.
The Express will play host to Penticton and Victoria next weekend.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
VIPERS @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS
Here's the highlights of Vernon's 4-3 overtime win over the Express Friday night.
Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.
Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.
DARCY ROTA INTERVIEW
During the first intermission of Friday's game vs. the Vernon Vipers I spoke with Express GM Darcy Rota.
We covered a number of topics including the Express style of play, the three recent trades and his relationship with Head Coach Jon Calvano.
Click to hear my interview with Darcy
We covered a number of topics including the Express style of play, the three recent trades and his relationship with Head Coach Jon Calvano.
Click to hear my interview with Darcy
Friday, November 19, 2010
VIPERS NEED OT TO KNOCK OFF GRITTY EXPRESS
It took 49 shots and 60:23 of action for the Vernon Vipers to knock off a resilient Express team 4-3 in overtime Friday night.
The Vipers may not have the talent of the previous two years in which they won back to back Royal Bank Cup National Championships, but they still play a similar puck possession style. The difference for the Vipers from this year to the last two years was an inability to bury their chances.
For most of the game, it was Vernon's puck to do what they wanted. To the credit of the Express, they did well to protect the middle of the ice and try and keep Vernon to the outside.
Luke Hernandez was busy all night and was very sharp long turning aside 45 of 49 shots he faced. The Express goaltender saved some of his best when the Express were under siege during 4 Vernon powerplays. The cliche is you need your best penalty killer to be your goaltender and Hernandez was that for the Express Friday. The support in front of him was strong as well as they watched the Vipers whip the puck around in the Express zone.
Mitchell Deacon returned to the lineup after missing the last 5 games and played a strong gritty game. He opened the scoring taking advantage of a Blake Voth turnover and Deacon wired home his 5th goal of the season. Deacon wasn't afraid to get his nose dirty and be willing to go after Vernon's best players including captain David Robinson.
Robinson evened the score for the Vipers after the Express turned the puck over at the blueline and Robinson buried a pass from Dylan Walchuk.
Just over minute later Massimo Lamacchia in front of his parents tied the game poking home the puck at the side of the Vipers net to restore the Express lead with his team leading 13th goal of the season.
The Express were fortunate to come out of the period with the lead considering Vernon dominated the game with their pace of play.
It was the same story in the second period but the Vipers couldn't get the puck past a strong Luke Hernandez.
Despite a 32-12 shot advantage for Vernon after 2 periods, the Express maintained their lead.
Vernon finally was rewarded for their strong play in the third when Walchuk set up Aaron Hadley in front of the Express net and Hadley tipped it over the glove of Hernandez.
Just under 3 minutes later the Vipers finally grabbed the lead when Todd Skirving beat Hernandez with a wrist shot high to the short side.
Vernon entered the game riding a 3 game losing streak and had just 2 wins in their last 8 games. One problem that had plagued them was blowing 3rd period leads. Vernon hoped their dominance of the play would allow them to clamp the game down and pick up the victory.
The Vipers got a chance to ice the game with a powerplay. But Garrick Perry showed his typical determination and forced a turnover at his own line and he went to the net and buried the breakaway to tie the game. The goal for Perry had to feel good considering he had 2 breakaways in the last 2 home games and he couldn't finish them off.
Click to hear Perry's shorthanded goal
.
The game remained even through 60 minutes dominated by the Vipers and Luke Hernandez was the main reason the Express got a point.
Entering OT the Express and Vipers had combined for 9 overtime losses this season, Vernon snapped their OT funk just 23 seconds into overtime shortly after Cole Gelley was hauled down in his own zone losing the puck and Bryce Kakoske cut into the slot picked his spot on Hernadez and nailed it giving Vernon the 4-3 OT win.
The better team won the hockey game, but the Express have to thank Luke Hernandez for his strong effort. The Express goaltender has been a little snake bitten recently in his last 3 home games. He has been very strong but just hasn't been able to come out on the winning side of the ledger. Hernandez is seeking his first win since September 29th vs. Surrey.
The Express are back in action as they welcome the Coastal Conference leading Powell River Kings to town Saturday night.
The Vipers may not have the talent of the previous two years in which they won back to back Royal Bank Cup National Championships, but they still play a similar puck possession style. The difference for the Vipers from this year to the last two years was an inability to bury their chances.
For most of the game, it was Vernon's puck to do what they wanted. To the credit of the Express, they did well to protect the middle of the ice and try and keep Vernon to the outside.
Luke Hernandez was busy all night and was very sharp long turning aside 45 of 49 shots he faced. The Express goaltender saved some of his best when the Express were under siege during 4 Vernon powerplays. The cliche is you need your best penalty killer to be your goaltender and Hernandez was that for the Express Friday. The support in front of him was strong as well as they watched the Vipers whip the puck around in the Express zone.
Mitchell Deacon returned to the lineup after missing the last 5 games and played a strong gritty game. He opened the scoring taking advantage of a Blake Voth turnover and Deacon wired home his 5th goal of the season. Deacon wasn't afraid to get his nose dirty and be willing to go after Vernon's best players including captain David Robinson.
Robinson evened the score for the Vipers after the Express turned the puck over at the blueline and Robinson buried a pass from Dylan Walchuk.
Just over minute later Massimo Lamacchia in front of his parents tied the game poking home the puck at the side of the Vipers net to restore the Express lead with his team leading 13th goal of the season.
The Express were fortunate to come out of the period with the lead considering Vernon dominated the game with their pace of play.
It was the same story in the second period but the Vipers couldn't get the puck past a strong Luke Hernandez.
Despite a 32-12 shot advantage for Vernon after 2 periods, the Express maintained their lead.
Vernon finally was rewarded for their strong play in the third when Walchuk set up Aaron Hadley in front of the Express net and Hadley tipped it over the glove of Hernandez.
Just under 3 minutes later the Vipers finally grabbed the lead when Todd Skirving beat Hernandez with a wrist shot high to the short side.
Vernon entered the game riding a 3 game losing streak and had just 2 wins in their last 8 games. One problem that had plagued them was blowing 3rd period leads. Vernon hoped their dominance of the play would allow them to clamp the game down and pick up the victory.
The Vipers got a chance to ice the game with a powerplay. But Garrick Perry showed his typical determination and forced a turnover at his own line and he went to the net and buried the breakaway to tie the game. The goal for Perry had to feel good considering he had 2 breakaways in the last 2 home games and he couldn't finish them off.
Click to hear Perry's shorthanded goal
.
The game remained even through 60 minutes dominated by the Vipers and Luke Hernandez was the main reason the Express got a point.
Entering OT the Express and Vipers had combined for 9 overtime losses this season, Vernon snapped their OT funk just 23 seconds into overtime shortly after Cole Gelley was hauled down in his own zone losing the puck and Bryce Kakoske cut into the slot picked his spot on Hernadez and nailed it giving Vernon the 4-3 OT win.
The better team won the hockey game, but the Express have to thank Luke Hernandez for his strong effort. The Express goaltender has been a little snake bitten recently in his last 3 home games. He has been very strong but just hasn't been able to come out on the winning side of the ledger. Hernandez is seeking his first win since September 29th vs. Surrey.
The Express are back in action as they welcome the Coastal Conference leading Powell River Kings to town Saturday night.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
EXPRESS TOP 10 - MOMENT 7
Moment 7 in the countdown features David Jones and Brett Hemingway being drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in 2003.
Click to hear the feature
.
Click to hear the feature
.
MCNEELY COVERBOY OF BCHL MAGAZINE
Former Express captain Tyler McNeely who is in his senior season at Northeastern University is the coverboy of the latest issue of the BCHL's Smart Hockey Magazine.
Click on the link to read the magazine in PDF form.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
EXPRESS ACQUIRE GELLEY
He has been on their radar all season long, now the Express finally have acquired the rights to defenceman Cole Gelley (91) from the Cowichan Valley Capitals.
The Express sent the rights to defenceman James Bettauer and future considerations to Cowichan Valley.
In the off-season, the Surrey Eagles sent Gelley along with future considerations to the Trail Smoke Eaters for Wade Bennett (now with the Express) and Robert Lindores.
After spending the first few days at camp, Gelley left Trail wanting to play closer to home. Days later his rights were shipped to Cowichan Valley but he never reported with the hopes that a trade to the Express would eventually materialize which it did Tuesday.
Bettauer played last season with the Express for 33 games after being picked up mid-season from Quesnel in a trade for Jon Puskar. Bettauer tallied 7 goals and 23 points.
This season he wanted another crack at the WHL and has played all season with the Price Albert Raiders where he has 1 goal and 9 points and is a +2 in 22 games.
Gelley has appeared in 101 career BCHL games scoring 3 goals and 23 assists for 26 points. In 07-08 he played under current Express coach Jon Calvano with the Vancouver Northwest Giants.
He will make his Express debut Wednesday night in Langley.
Monday, November 15, 2010
EXPRESS & BULLDOGS FIT TO BE TIED
For the first time in over 2 years the Express played to a tie 3-3 Sunday afternoon with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. The tie assured the Express would go undefeated in 3 home games this week picking up 2 wins and a tie collecting 5 of a possible 6 points.
Mike Krgovich played the hero for the Express with a buzzer beater wrap around in the third period to tie the game at 3 at 19:59 of the third period.
Alberni Valley got a break to give the visitors the early lead when Khaleed Devji had trouble handling the puck and it was centred to Casey Bailey who tapped it home to open the scoring.
The Express had a reply in quick succession when Garrick Perry scored at 7:41, that was followed 13 seconds later by a great shot by Jason Grecica wiring a shot top shelf off the wing over the glove of Frank Slubowski following a drop pass from Massimo Lamacchia.
The goal extended Grecia's point streak to 5 games, 2 goals and 3 assists. Lamacchia is riding a 3 game point streak of his own 2 goals and 3 assists.
In the 2nd period Mitch Pacey was called for a 5 minute fighting major, 2 minutes for instigating and a misconduct penalty when he went after Alberni Valley's Ryan Renz after the Express iced the puck. What resulted was the Bulldogs getting a 7 minute powerplay.
The Express penalty killers which has had some success in recent home games did a pretty admirable job considering the circumstances and killed off the first 5 minutes of the shorthanded situation before Sawyer Mick buried his own rebound to tie the game at 2. That goal would be the only damage inflicted on the Express considering the Bulldogs could score at will once the five minute major came into effect.
Alberni Valley's forechecking pressure resulted in the Dogs taking the lead before the period was done. Josh Mitchell pressured Mark Begert into a turnover and Mitchell fed Bailey who buried the feed for his second of the game to give the Bulldogs the lead going into the third.
Looking to snap their 4 game losing streak, Alberni Valley started strong in the third giving the Express some trouble coming out of their own end. As the period progressed however, the fatigue of a Bulldogs team playing their third game in 3 nights and a rested Express team having Saturday off saw Coquitlam turn up the heat in the latter half of the third period as they looked for the equalizer.
That equalizer came in the knick of time when Krgovich scored his buzzer beater to tie the game at 3. Krgovich has given the Express attack the boost expected when he was acquired from the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. He has points in all 3 games he's dressed for the Express 2 goals and 2 assists.
Both teams had chances to win it in the 10 minutes of overtime played. 5 minutes 4 on 4 and 5 minutes 3 on 3, but nothing was decided. Khaleed Devji preserved the tie with his finest save in the 3 on 3 with a glove save off Casey Bailey as he made a bid for his 3rd of the game.
The Express goaltender was strong for them all week going undefeated in all 3 games stopping 109 of the 115 shots he faced.
The 5 points for the Express allowed them to remain tied with Alberni Valley for 5th place in the Coastal Conference with 25 points and the two teams sit just 2 points back of 4th place Victoria.
Mike Chan was stellar in the Express last tie game over 2 years ago stopping 41 of 44 shots including all 15 he faced in overtime in a 3-3 decision in Powell River September 6th 2008.
The Express are back in action Wednesday night in Langley.
Mike Krgovich played the hero for the Express with a buzzer beater wrap around in the third period to tie the game at 3 at 19:59 of the third period.
Alberni Valley got a break to give the visitors the early lead when Khaleed Devji had trouble handling the puck and it was centred to Casey Bailey who tapped it home to open the scoring.
The Express had a reply in quick succession when Garrick Perry scored at 7:41, that was followed 13 seconds later by a great shot by Jason Grecica wiring a shot top shelf off the wing over the glove of Frank Slubowski following a drop pass from Massimo Lamacchia.
The goal extended Grecia's point streak to 5 games, 2 goals and 3 assists. Lamacchia is riding a 3 game point streak of his own 2 goals and 3 assists.
In the 2nd period Mitch Pacey was called for a 5 minute fighting major, 2 minutes for instigating and a misconduct penalty when he went after Alberni Valley's Ryan Renz after the Express iced the puck. What resulted was the Bulldogs getting a 7 minute powerplay.
The Express penalty killers which has had some success in recent home games did a pretty admirable job considering the circumstances and killed off the first 5 minutes of the shorthanded situation before Sawyer Mick buried his own rebound to tie the game at 2. That goal would be the only damage inflicted on the Express considering the Bulldogs could score at will once the five minute major came into effect.
Alberni Valley's forechecking pressure resulted in the Dogs taking the lead before the period was done. Josh Mitchell pressured Mark Begert into a turnover and Mitchell fed Bailey who buried the feed for his second of the game to give the Bulldogs the lead going into the third.
Looking to snap their 4 game losing streak, Alberni Valley started strong in the third giving the Express some trouble coming out of their own end. As the period progressed however, the fatigue of a Bulldogs team playing their third game in 3 nights and a rested Express team having Saturday off saw Coquitlam turn up the heat in the latter half of the third period as they looked for the equalizer.
That equalizer came in the knick of time when Krgovich scored his buzzer beater to tie the game at 3. Krgovich has given the Express attack the boost expected when he was acquired from the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. He has points in all 3 games he's dressed for the Express 2 goals and 2 assists.
Both teams had chances to win it in the 10 minutes of overtime played. 5 minutes 4 on 4 and 5 minutes 3 on 3, but nothing was decided. Khaleed Devji preserved the tie with his finest save in the 3 on 3 with a glove save off Casey Bailey as he made a bid for his 3rd of the game.
The Express goaltender was strong for them all week going undefeated in all 3 games stopping 109 of the 115 shots he faced.
The 5 points for the Express allowed them to remain tied with Alberni Valley for 5th place in the Coastal Conference with 25 points and the two teams sit just 2 points back of 4th place Victoria.
Mike Chan was stellar in the Express last tie game over 2 years ago stopping 41 of 44 shots including all 15 he faced in overtime in a 3-3 decision in Powell River September 6th 2008.
The Express are back in action Wednesday night in Langley.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
CHIEFS @ EXPRESS HIGHLIGHTS
Here's the highlights from Coquitlam's 4-2 win over the Langley Chiefs Friday night.
Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.
Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.
DEKANICH LOVES HIS DONUTS
The former Express has posted back to back shuouts for the Milwaukee Admirals. Here's the story on his run from their website.
Friday, November 12, 2010
EXPRESS WIN A BEAUTY
What a game played between the Coquitlam Express and Langley Chiefs. Truly one of the most entertaining games you will ever see in the BCHL. What made it even better is the Express got the best of their top rival by a score of 4-2.
It was a game that was truly one of where it was unfortanate that one team had to lose.
Goaltenders Khaleed Devji for the Express and Wyatt Galley were outstanding. Both had their moments to shine with spectacular saves throughout the course of the game.
The game was scoreless until midway through the second period when Massimo Lamacchia took a feed from Jason Grecica in the corner and beat a sprawled out Wyatt Galley.
Langley quickly tied it just 1:44 later at 11:45 when Brendon Scholten chopped the puck between the legs of Devji.
Coquitlam looked to extended their lead before the period was done but Wyatt Galley made a fine save off Garrick Perry.
Khaleed Devji matched that save as he came to his right and made a fine right pad save.
The Chiefs took the lead for the first time on a 3rd period powerplay goal when Brad McBride jammed the puck at the net and after some discussion with referee Bryan Bourdon determined the puck was in.
Coquitlam pressed looking for the equalizer. Massimo Lamacchia had 3 great chances on the powerplay but was robbed by the Chiefs netminder.
Lamacchia however did get his revenge mid way through the third period when his slap shot from the circle was tipped over the shoulder of Galley to tie the game at 2.
Then 28 seconds later Alex Petan corralled a loose puck in the slot and wired home his 7th of the season and first goal in 8 games to give the Express the a 3-2 lead at 12:04. The goal for Petan capped a strong performance as he used his wheels effectively and was a strong energy performer all night.
Mike Krgovich then iced the game with an empty net goal for his first Express goal and second point in as many nights.
The win extended Coquitlam's winning streak to a pair of games.
Riley Mcintosh deserves recogntion for his strong performance. He blocked numerous shots. He wasn't alone in that department. Steve Axford, Garrick Perry will have ice packs on tonight after blocking a number Langley blasts.
The Express have a day of rest before playing host to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs Sunday afternoon.
It was a game that was truly one of where it was unfortanate that one team had to lose.
Goaltenders Khaleed Devji for the Express and Wyatt Galley were outstanding. Both had their moments to shine with spectacular saves throughout the course of the game.
The game was scoreless until midway through the second period when Massimo Lamacchia took a feed from Jason Grecica in the corner and beat a sprawled out Wyatt Galley.
Langley quickly tied it just 1:44 later at 11:45 when Brendon Scholten chopped the puck between the legs of Devji.
Coquitlam looked to extended their lead before the period was done but Wyatt Galley made a fine save off Garrick Perry.
Khaleed Devji matched that save as he came to his right and made a fine right pad save.
The Chiefs took the lead for the first time on a 3rd period powerplay goal when Brad McBride jammed the puck at the net and after some discussion with referee Bryan Bourdon determined the puck was in.
Coquitlam pressed looking for the equalizer. Massimo Lamacchia had 3 great chances on the powerplay but was robbed by the Chiefs netminder.
Lamacchia however did get his revenge mid way through the third period when his slap shot from the circle was tipped over the shoulder of Galley to tie the game at 2.
Then 28 seconds later Alex Petan corralled a loose puck in the slot and wired home his 7th of the season and first goal in 8 games to give the Express the a 3-2 lead at 12:04. The goal for Petan capped a strong performance as he used his wheels effectively and was a strong energy performer all night.
Mike Krgovich then iced the game with an empty net goal for his first Express goal and second point in as many nights.
The win extended Coquitlam's winning streak to a pair of games.
Riley Mcintosh deserves recogntion for his strong performance. He blocked numerous shots. He wasn't alone in that department. Steve Axford, Garrick Perry will have ice packs on tonight after blocking a number Langley blasts.
The Express have a day of rest before playing host to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs Sunday afternoon.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
CLIPPERS @ EXPRESS HI-LITES
Here's the highlights from the Coquitlam's 3-1 win over the Nanaimo Clippers Wednesday night.
Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.
Highlights courtesy of Cary Derksen.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
A WIN IS A WIN
You don't get points in the standings for style, you do get points if you end up at the end of the game with more goals than the opposition, and that was the case for the Express in their 3-1 win over the Nanaimo Clippers.
Nanaimo out shot the Express 44-22 and Khaleed Devji came up with a strong performance as the Clips set the pace for most of the game. Devji earned his first star performance stopping all but one of the shots sent his way.
The win snapped the Express' 8 game losing streak. During the run, the Express had limited production from their top offensive weapons. I had made the point many times if Brad Reid and Destry Stragight among others had found the scoresheet more often in the last 8 games, the results for the Express would be different.
Both Reid and Straight found the back of the net in the 2nd period for their first goals in the last 9 games.
Click to here to listen to Reid's 2nd period goal
.
Click to here to listen to Straight's 2nd period goal
.
The goal for Reid extended his point streak to three games.
Mike Krgovich made his Express debut and had an assist on Destry Straight's 2nd period powerplay goal.
Nanaimo out shot the Express 44-22 and Khaleed Devji came up with a strong performance as the Clips set the pace for most of the game. Devji earned his first star performance stopping all but one of the shots sent his way.
The win snapped the Express' 8 game losing streak. During the run, the Express had limited production from their top offensive weapons. I had made the point many times if Brad Reid and Destry Stragight among others had found the scoresheet more often in the last 8 games, the results for the Express would be different.
Both Reid and Straight found the back of the net in the 2nd period for their first goals in the last 9 games.
Click to here to listen to Reid's 2nd period goal
.
Click to here to listen to Straight's 2nd period goal
.
The goal for Reid extended his point streak to three games.
Mike Krgovich made his Express debut and had an assist on Destry Straight's 2nd period powerplay goal.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
EXPRESS ACQUIRE KRGOVICH
The Express have had some trouble in the last 8 games getting scoring from their hired guns.
Today they did something to help rectify that problem picking up the rights to veteran and Coquitlam resident Mike Krgovich from the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in exchange for forward Paul De Jersey and defenceman Justin Elliot.
This is the 2nd trade in a few weeks for Krgovich who was traded earlier this season by the Surrey Eagles in exchange for Josh Monk.
Krgovich put up 4 goals and 4 assists for 8 points in 13 games with the Eagles then dressed for only a single game after his trade to the Silverbacks. Last season Krgovich was Surrey's representative at the All Star game. In his BCHL career he has 29 goals and 85 points in 105 games.
De Jersey played parts of 3 seasons with the Express tallying just 4 goals and 8 points in 60 games.
Elliot was in his first season on the Express blueline and didn't register a point in 19 games.
Krgovich is an accomplished lacrosse player as well winning the Minto Cup Canadian Junior A championship with the Coquitlam Adanacs this past summer. He will make his Express debut Wednesday night when the Express host the Nanaimo Clippers.
Monday, November 8, 2010
STRAIGHT FEATURED ON INSIDE BCHL
Bernie Pascall's first feature of the season is on Express star Destry Straight.
Click on the link to see the feature.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
A BLOWOUT & A HEART BREAKER FOR EXPRESS
It's been weeks since the Express last tasted victory.
This weekend the Express were dropped 8-2 in Westside on Friday, and 5-4 in overtime in Salmon Arm on Saturday.
Friday's game started well for the Express with Jason Grecica scoring the Express' 2nd powerplay goal in their last 26 powerplay opportunites.
The lead however didn't last long and within a few minutes they were trailing after goals by Kyle Singleton and former Express Matt Ridley.
The second period saw the Express have some chances but couldn't finish them and the Warriors had extended their lead to 4-2.
Then the Warriors blew the game wide open in the third with 4 goals. 2 on the powerplay and a beautiful one on one shorthanded effort by Alex Grieve dangling past Massimo Lamacchia and using a strong second effort to poke the puck past Khaleed Devji.
The final score was a whitewash for the Warriors 8-2.
24 hours and a team meeting post game later the Express looked to bounce back in Salmon Arm.
The first period was far from an oil painting. In the final minute Destry Stright was called for delay of game covering up the puck in the Express zone.
On that powerplay, David Killip took a cross ice pass and roofed a shot over Khaleed Devji to give Salmon Arm a 1-0 lead with just 1.8 seconds remaining in the 1st period.
The second period was a much different story as the game opened up.
Garrick Perry added his second goal in as many nights and was followed 29 seconds later with Justin Georgeson's first BCHL goal as he used his strength and powered his way to the net and slid the puck home.
That lead lasted just under 5 minutes as Josh Manson wired a point shot past a screened Devji to tie the game at 2.
Coquitlam re-stored their lead just over a minute later as Jason Grecica put a perfect feed on the stick of Steve Axford who converted the 2 on 1.
Again that lead didn't last long. Are you sensing a trend here?
Again it was Josh Manson with a point shot this time that was tipped in front of Devji by Devin Gannnon to tie the game at 3. The goal coming just 2:16 after Axford's marker.
In the third Matt Cassidy gave the Silverbacks the lead on a pretty passing play converting a cross crease feed for Salmon Arm's second powerplay goal of the night.
The Express were given one last shot to tie the game when Bryce Gervais was given a holding penalty which was followed by a unsportsmanlike conduct and a game misconduct giving the Express a 4 minute powerplay with just under 5 minutes remaining.
Coquitlam took advantage of the opportunity with Alex Petan putting a perfect pass on the tape of Malcom Mckinney who slid it home to tie the game at 4.
This back and forth affair between the 2001 expansion cousins went to overtime.
The game was quickly decided when David Killip who opened the scoring, finished the proceedings when he slid the puck under Devji for his second of the night at 1:51 of the first overtime.
The loss was dropped Coquitlam to 0-4 in overtime this season. All 4 extra time setbacks have come on the road. Coquitlam has now dropped 8 consecutive games with 3 of them decided in overtime and 5 of them by a single goal.
Coquitlam has played a total of 486:49 of game play in the last 8 games. Of that time, only 44:05 of that time has been played with the lead.
The Express will look to bounce back Wednesday night in a big game vs. the Nanaimo Clippers.
This weekend the Express were dropped 8-2 in Westside on Friday, and 5-4 in overtime in Salmon Arm on Saturday.
Friday's game started well for the Express with Jason Grecica scoring the Express' 2nd powerplay goal in their last 26 powerplay opportunites.
The lead however didn't last long and within a few minutes they were trailing after goals by Kyle Singleton and former Express Matt Ridley.
The second period saw the Express have some chances but couldn't finish them and the Warriors had extended their lead to 4-2.
Then the Warriors blew the game wide open in the third with 4 goals. 2 on the powerplay and a beautiful one on one shorthanded effort by Alex Grieve dangling past Massimo Lamacchia and using a strong second effort to poke the puck past Khaleed Devji.
The final score was a whitewash for the Warriors 8-2.
24 hours and a team meeting post game later the Express looked to bounce back in Salmon Arm.
The first period was far from an oil painting. In the final minute Destry Stright was called for delay of game covering up the puck in the Express zone.
On that powerplay, David Killip took a cross ice pass and roofed a shot over Khaleed Devji to give Salmon Arm a 1-0 lead with just 1.8 seconds remaining in the 1st period.
The second period was a much different story as the game opened up.
Garrick Perry added his second goal in as many nights and was followed 29 seconds later with Justin Georgeson's first BCHL goal as he used his strength and powered his way to the net and slid the puck home.
That lead lasted just under 5 minutes as Josh Manson wired a point shot past a screened Devji to tie the game at 2.
Coquitlam re-stored their lead just over a minute later as Jason Grecica put a perfect feed on the stick of Steve Axford who converted the 2 on 1.
Again that lead didn't last long. Are you sensing a trend here?
Again it was Josh Manson with a point shot this time that was tipped in front of Devji by Devin Gannnon to tie the game at 3. The goal coming just 2:16 after Axford's marker.
In the third Matt Cassidy gave the Silverbacks the lead on a pretty passing play converting a cross crease feed for Salmon Arm's second powerplay goal of the night.
The Express were given one last shot to tie the game when Bryce Gervais was given a holding penalty which was followed by a unsportsmanlike conduct and a game misconduct giving the Express a 4 minute powerplay with just under 5 minutes remaining.
Coquitlam took advantage of the opportunity with Alex Petan putting a perfect pass on the tape of Malcom Mckinney who slid it home to tie the game at 4.
This back and forth affair between the 2001 expansion cousins went to overtime.
The game was quickly decided when David Killip who opened the scoring, finished the proceedings when he slid the puck under Devji for his second of the night at 1:51 of the first overtime.
The loss was dropped Coquitlam to 0-4 in overtime this season. All 4 extra time setbacks have come on the road. Coquitlam has now dropped 8 consecutive games with 3 of them decided in overtime and 5 of them by a single goal.
Coquitlam has played a total of 486:49 of game play in the last 8 games. Of that time, only 44:05 of that time has been played with the lead.
The Express will look to bounce back Wednesday night in a big game vs. the Nanaimo Clippers.
Friday, November 5, 2010
EXPRESS TOP 10 - MOMENT 8
Moment 8 in the countdown is the Express making the playoffs in their first season in 01-02.
Click to hear the feature
.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
TURRIS CONTINUING TO IMPROVE
Here's an article on the improvement of the former Express from the Arizona Republic.
Phoenix Coyotes' Kyle Turris constantly looking to improve
9 comments by Sarah McLellan - Nov. 1, 2010 11:07 PM
The Arizona Republic
"Where's Turry?" Coyotes assistant coach Dave King hollered as Monday's practice adjourned and players went their separate ways to participate in individual drills before leaving the ice for the locker room.
King stood at center ice with forward Petr Prucha and, once Kyle Turris skated to the faceoff dot, Turris and Prucha practiced a puck-protection drill where they took turns shielding the puck with their body from the other player.
"Keep going," King yelled repeatedly, encouraging the intensity.
This is typical of Turris, practicing long after head coach Dave Tippett has dismissed his players. He works on faceoffs, perfects his shot and is usually one of the last to leave the ice.
"There's always something to improve on," Turris said.
Improvement has been the theme of Turris' game since he was inserted into the lineup by Tippett for the team's home opener against the Detroit Red Wings. Since then, he's played every game and contributed on the score sheet. Turris has four points, and his three goals put him tied for first in that category among his teammates.
"I feel like a completely different player," Turris said. "I feel like I can control the puck and not rush my decisions, hold on to it and try and make plays like I can."
This is the Turris everyone expected two seasons ago when he was a rookie playing nearly an entire season with the Coyotes. But even Turris admits transitioning into an NHL lineup as a 19-year-old was a challenge he couldn't prepare for. Camp was tough, he wasn't sure of his rank on the depth chart, and he was nervous.
"I was always worried about getting sent down and whether I was gonna play the next night," he said. "I just never found my comfort zone."
Three years removed from his draft year where he was taken third overall and Turris thinks he's finally found it. And considering the status of the other players taken in the first round of that 2007 draft, Turris is right on schedule.
Turris is one of 16 first-round picks from 2007 who have played in the NHL, but only seven of those players have played more than Turris, who has 74 games under his belt.
The standouts have been first overall pick Patrick Kane with the reigning Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, David Perron as a member of the St. Louis Blues, and Sam Gagner of the Edmonton Oilers.
Second overall pick James Van Riemsdyk is in just his second full year with the Philadelphia Flyers, fourth pick Thomas Hickey is still playing for the Los Angeles Kings' AHL squad, and fifth pick Karl Alzner has been shuffled between the Washington Capitals and AHL for the past two seasons.
"Everybody has their own path to the NHL, and I think everybody's done it different ways," Turris said. "From Kane getting an opportunity right away and going in right after the draft and playing a ton and kind of learning as he went.
"Van Riemsdyk going a couple years of college, coming out and he's getting his opportunity now . . . and now Hickey's in the (AHL) still and working to get there."
With recent first-round picks such as John Tavares and Matt Duchene from the 2009 class and Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin from this year's draft making the jump right to the professional level, NHL-ready players might be the expectation but not the reality. Even after Turris finished at the University of Wisconsin before joining the Coyotes for the 2008-09 season, he wasn't physically ready for the rigors of the NHL.
"When he was drafted, everybody saw potential," King said. "He was a prospect. They all recognized right away he had a pretty good head on his shoulders, really a smart, smart player. But everybody knew that he was physically not there yet.
"So when you draft a player like that, I think your plans are you know it's going to take some time. You know there's gong to be a maturation process where he, naturally, as a human, gets a little bit stronger, bigger."
Now Turris is stronger on the puck and his balance has improved - something King credits to Turris' year of seasoning in the AHL with the Coyotes' minor league affiliate in San Antonio.
Turris "got his confidence back up and more time with the puck and more possession with the puck, and you can see that's really helped him a lot," King said.
Turris' journey to the NHL has been "unique," King said, and he's finally at the point where his physical strength is on par with his vision and understanding of the game.
Turris agrees and plans to continue working on the niche he's carved with the Coyotes this season.
"I really feel like I've found it here," he said.
Phoenix Coyotes' Kyle Turris constantly looking to improve
9 comments by Sarah McLellan - Nov. 1, 2010 11:07 PM
The Arizona Republic
"Where's Turry?" Coyotes assistant coach Dave King hollered as Monday's practice adjourned and players went their separate ways to participate in individual drills before leaving the ice for the locker room.
King stood at center ice with forward Petr Prucha and, once Kyle Turris skated to the faceoff dot, Turris and Prucha practiced a puck-protection drill where they took turns shielding the puck with their body from the other player.
"Keep going," King yelled repeatedly, encouraging the intensity.
This is typical of Turris, practicing long after head coach Dave Tippett has dismissed his players. He works on faceoffs, perfects his shot and is usually one of the last to leave the ice.
"There's always something to improve on," Turris said.
Improvement has been the theme of Turris' game since he was inserted into the lineup by Tippett for the team's home opener against the Detroit Red Wings. Since then, he's played every game and contributed on the score sheet. Turris has four points, and his three goals put him tied for first in that category among his teammates.
"I feel like a completely different player," Turris said. "I feel like I can control the puck and not rush my decisions, hold on to it and try and make plays like I can."
This is the Turris everyone expected two seasons ago when he was a rookie playing nearly an entire season with the Coyotes. But even Turris admits transitioning into an NHL lineup as a 19-year-old was a challenge he couldn't prepare for. Camp was tough, he wasn't sure of his rank on the depth chart, and he was nervous.
"I was always worried about getting sent down and whether I was gonna play the next night," he said. "I just never found my comfort zone."
Three years removed from his draft year where he was taken third overall and Turris thinks he's finally found it. And considering the status of the other players taken in the first round of that 2007 draft, Turris is right on schedule.
Turris is one of 16 first-round picks from 2007 who have played in the NHL, but only seven of those players have played more than Turris, who has 74 games under his belt.
The standouts have been first overall pick Patrick Kane with the reigning Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, David Perron as a member of the St. Louis Blues, and Sam Gagner of the Edmonton Oilers.
Second overall pick James Van Riemsdyk is in just his second full year with the Philadelphia Flyers, fourth pick Thomas Hickey is still playing for the Los Angeles Kings' AHL squad, and fifth pick Karl Alzner has been shuffled between the Washington Capitals and AHL for the past two seasons.
"Everybody has their own path to the NHL, and I think everybody's done it different ways," Turris said. "From Kane getting an opportunity right away and going in right after the draft and playing a ton and kind of learning as he went.
"Van Riemsdyk going a couple years of college, coming out and he's getting his opportunity now . . . and now Hickey's in the (AHL) still and working to get there."
With recent first-round picks such as John Tavares and Matt Duchene from the 2009 class and Taylor Hall and Tyler Seguin from this year's draft making the jump right to the professional level, NHL-ready players might be the expectation but not the reality. Even after Turris finished at the University of Wisconsin before joining the Coyotes for the 2008-09 season, he wasn't physically ready for the rigors of the NHL.
"When he was drafted, everybody saw potential," King said. "He was a prospect. They all recognized right away he had a pretty good head on his shoulders, really a smart, smart player. But everybody knew that he was physically not there yet.
"So when you draft a player like that, I think your plans are you know it's going to take some time. You know there's gong to be a maturation process where he, naturally, as a human, gets a little bit stronger, bigger."
Now Turris is stronger on the puck and his balance has improved - something King credits to Turris' year of seasoning in the AHL with the Coyotes' minor league affiliate in San Antonio.
Turris "got his confidence back up and more time with the puck and more possession with the puck, and you can see that's really helped him a lot," King said.
Turris' journey to the NHL has been "unique," King said, and he's finally at the point where his physical strength is on par with his vision and understanding of the game.
Turris agrees and plans to continue working on the niche he's carved with the Coyotes this season.
"I really feel like I've found it here," he said.
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